What Today’s Job Seekers Expect And How Your Staffing Agency Can Deliver

What Today’s Job Seekers Expect And How Your Staffing Agency Can Deliver

Hiring expectations are shifting — fast. According to Employ Inc.’s latest 2025 Job Market Truths report, the modern job seeker wants speed, convenience, and transparency. If your staffing agency’s application process is clunky or outdated, you could be losing top candidates before you ever meet them.

Here’s what candidates are telling us — and how Enginehire’s all-in-one staffing software helps you stay ahead.

71% of Candidates Want the Job Application Process to Take Under 30 Minutes

That’s right — nearly three-quarters of job seekers say they’ll abandon a time-consuming application. In fact, 35% said they’ve quit an application entirely because it took too long.

With Enginehire’s streamlined applicant tracking system (ATS), your candidates can complete applications quickly and easily. The customizable workflows and mobile-friendly interface help remove friction, increasing application completion rates and candidate satisfaction.

A Seamless Application Process Leaves a Lasting Impression

When asked what made the biggest impact during the hiring experience, 43% of job seekers said “an easy application process.”

Your candidate experience starts the moment someone hits “Apply.” Enginehire automates and optimizes that experience from day one — giving agencies the tools to create a professional, branded hiring flow that’s as efficient as it is impressive.

Chatbots and AI Are Improving the Hiring Experience

AI and automation are no longer optional — they’re expected.

• 66% of candidates who interacted with a chatbot said it improved their experience.

• 31% of job seekers are already using AI to enhance their job search.

• AI usage is especially high in tech and finance industries, where over 45% of candidates use it.

Enginehire makes it easy for agencies to adopt smart hiring technology. From AI-driven matching to automated interview scheduling, our software helps you meet candidates where they are — and exceed expectations.

AI Can Reduce Bias, But Trust in Human Recruiters Still Matters

While 61% of job seekers believe AI can reduce bias, 58% still say they trust HR professionals more than AI when it comes to navigating the hiring journey.

That’s why Enginehire blends the power of AI with the human touch — empowering recruiters to work faster without losing the personalized, empathetic approach that builds long-term relationships with candidates.

Flexibility and Transparency Are Key in 2025

Other highlights from the survey include:

• Only 44% of candidates think it’s easy to find a job, down from 50% last year.

• 63% say remote work matters when deciding whether to accept a job.

• 20% would decline a role that required full-time, on-site work.

• 36% left a job in the first 90 days due to a disconnect between the hiring process and the reality of the role.

These insights reinforce why agencies need to communicate clearly, set accurate expectations, and offer flexible work options when possible.

With Enginehire, staffing agencies can easily track candidate feedback, align job descriptions with client needs, and deliver a consistent hiring process from application to onboarding.

How You Can Change this. 

Bring Candidates Back with “Applications Started” Notifications (Like Abandoned Carts)

Think of it like e-commerce: when someone puts something in their cart but doesn’t check out, smart systems send reminders to bring them back. Enginehire does the same thing — but for job applications.

When a candidate starts an application but doesn’t finish, Enginehire automatically sends them a reminder. Maybe they got distracted. Maybe they weren’t ready. Doesn’t matter — you don’t have to manually follow up or wonder who dropped off. The system handles it for you.

This feature alone has helped agencies capture more completed applications without lifting a finger. It’s a simple, powerful way to re-engage job seekers and get them to the finish line — and it can seriously boost your pipeline.

Automated Emails That Push Clients and Candidates Deeper Into Your Pipeline

Once someone enters your pipeline, don’t let them sit there. Enginehire’s automated email journeys keep the momentum going — without you needing to send a single manual message.

Whether it’s a candidate completing onboarding or a client moving into the final interview phase, Enginehire can automatically trigger customized emails that:

• Confirm next steps

• Set expectations

• Keep everyone engaged

• And remind them to act

This isn’t just about communication — it’s about conversion. Each email nudges people closer to placement, to booking, to success.

And you’re not guessing when to send them. Enginehire’s automation is based on actions they actually take (or don’t take) — so your follow-up is always timely and relevant.

If you’re running a modern agency and not using automation like this, you’re working too hard. This is a game-changer — and in 2025, it’s not a nice-to-have, it’s a must.